CHENNAI: Two decades after they faced police brutality, the affected tribals of Vachathi have got financial relief with Chief Minister
J Jayalalithaa on Friday announcing an additional assistance of `60,000 each to 105 people.
This follows representations from the people of Vachathi village in Dharmapuri district. Already, the Chief Minister has ordered disbursal of `.12.20 lakh as relief to 77 persons.
Stating that the government headed by her has been functioning in a manner not to affect anyone in the society, she said if at all people get affected in some cases, her government has been in the forefront to extend all the assistance they need.
In 1992, during a raid conducted in Vachathi following a tip off that sandalwood trees were cut and hidden there, the tribals faced police high handedness and the village was ransacked. Later, a compensation of `1.44 crore was given to 407 persons affected in the incidents.
Besides, Group Houses, family cards, power connection, power connection to agricultural purposes, drinking water connections etc., were provided to the people who were affected.
Based on a complaint of an employee of Forest Department that the people of Vachathi attacked the team of officials who had raided the village, Dharmapuri police had filed chargesheet against 105 persons hailing from Vachathi village in 1999. In September 2011, a trial court in Harur convicted 215 government officials, including 17 held for rape.